Manuel Pellegrini has told Manchester City bosses he wants Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria for next season.
The Chilean is expected to rubber-stamp his appointment at the Etihad Stadium this week and, according to the Sunday People, City director of football Txiki Begiristain and chief executive Ferran Soriano are due to fly to Madrid for talks with Real President Florentino Perez.
However, Perez does not want the Argentine international to leave the Santiago Bernabeu, while Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti, widely tipped to succeed Jose Mourinho in the Spanish capital, is sure to see Di Maria as a vital part of the Madrid squad should he eventually take the reins.
Nonetheless, a bid of up to €40m could test Los Blancos’ resolve to hang on to the 25-year-old as the Sky Blues begin preparations to win back the Premier League title from cross-city rivals Manchester United.
Di Maria, who has 38 international caps, joined Madrid in June 2010 for €25m from Benfica, penning a five-year agreement.
